The story of the S&W Model 645

[N4KVE]

This statement and IMFDB.com are frequently quoted and factually incorrect. The blank firing gun used on the fifth season of Miami Vice was actually a M645 transition model. The two guns look almost identical hence the error from the on-line experts. The Miami Vice gun is in the hands of a collector complete with a beat up Galco Jackass Rig and a notorized letter of authenticity from Charlie Gaunci.

Bruce

Years ago, at the West Palm Beach gun show there was a guy who had all 3 guns from Miami Vice. He kept them, the Bren 10, 645, & 4506 in a wooden/glass case with the letter of authenticity from the movie studio. He also had the Miami PD ID for Sonny Crockett. One day they were no longer at the show, so I assumed they were sold. GARY

 

[TTSH]

This statement and IMFDB.com are frequently quoted and factually incorrect. The blank firing gun used on the fifth season of Miami Vice was actually a M645 transition model. The two guns look almost identical hence the error from the on-line experts. The Miami Vice gun is in the hands of a collector complete with a beat up Galco Jackass Rig and a notarized letter of authenticity from Charlie Gaunci.

Years ago, at the West Palm Beach gun show there was a guy who had all 3 guns from Miami Vice. He kept them, the Bren 10, 645, & 4506 in a wooden/glass case with the letter of authenticity from the movie studio. He also had the Miami PD ID for Sonny Crockett. One day they were no longer at the show, so I assumed they were sold. GARY

My gun... Opps, I mean Sonny's gun... from its very first appearance in Season 5...

 

[BruceM]

The same collector who own's the M645 transitional Model (not 4506) blank gun also bought one of the two blank firing Bren Tens from Gaunci. Don Johnson owns the other one plus a Bren Ten D&D built for him with a vanity serial number. One of the Bren Ten blank guns caused lots of problems with misfires during season one. During the break between seasons one and two, both guns were serviced and the problematic gun was found to have developed a burr on the cross-bolt safety. It was dragging on the firing pin causing light primer strikes. This simple repair was executed and supposedly resolved the problem.

Bruce

 

[dakota1911]

Thanks for the info. I go into a couple gun stores that may have one of these on an estate sale or something. Nice information.

 

[eflarson]

when I bought my 645 it had adjustable sights and is compensated I am looking into a red dot for it, I'm getting old, has anyone tried to do this?

 

[TTSH]

Kind of a funny aside, but did anyone else see the recent listing on a certain well-known "List of Arms" for a Model 645 for sale at a cool $100,000.00? The listing is gone now (I knew I should have kept a copy) and it spoke of the extreme rarity and highly-desired collectability of the Model 645. It was probably flagged for "over-priced" and that made it go away.

I hope nobody here bought it... or at least if they did, I hope they got a somewhat better price than $100,000.00.

 

[Ozark Marine]

I recently won a 645 on GB.
I'd better check my credit cards statements.

 

[BigBoy99]

I consider the S&W 645 to the ultimate .45ACP handgun. It has every feature which makes it a super gun. Having big hands, I find the grips to be perfect for me. The only improvement I could suggest for this super handgun would to make the magazine double stacked. If the 645 had a 12 - 14 round capacity it would be the best handgun ever produced!

 

[Northwoods Trader]

$100,000?! I have one New in the box if someone offer that kind of money...lol. Did you happen to catch if that particular 645 had history to it, or other?

 

[TTSH]

$100,000?! I have one New in the box if someone offer that kind of money...lol. Did you happen to catch if that particular 645 had history to it, or other?

No special ownership or history stated. Just that it was such an extraordinarily rare and collectible handgun. Wish I had copied the listing while it was up. I love my Model 645, but $100K? Not that much.

It was good for a laugh. I should have used it to show the good wife how good a deal I had gotten (when, in reality, I kinda overpaid).

 

[triaxle]

I picked up a mint 645 , no box for 399 a few years back , it has a super nice D/A pull , I picked up a few fact spare mags and found a mint Safari land shoulder rig and its good to go .

 

[Dougdug]

Wow... thanks for the great read.
I've had my 645 since 1987 and it's not going anywhere.

__________________
USS Hepburn FF-1055

 

[donk52]

I can't remember the exact year, but after I moved from fitting the Mod 52's I moved to assembling the 39's 59's and 41's. I was chosen to assemble the first of the production 645's. Loved that guns size, basically like a big 39. I always wondered why they used a phillips screw for the ambi-safety, ugliest part of the gun. If you look at the bottom of the frame around the mag well, a fitters stamp would be there. If it's an "0" that's one of mine.

 

[M29since14]

...I always wondered why they used a phillips screw for the ambi-safety, ugliest part of the gun. If you look at the bottom of the frame around the mag well, a fitters stamp would be there. If it's an "0" that's one of mine.

Amen to the ugly Phillips screw! Great looking gun, otherwise.

 

[ispcapt]

I carried this 645 in the mid 1990s when I was commanding a couple of drug task forces. I got a 457 as soon as I could and carried it as back up.
The only downside was the 645 is heavy. I had carried a nickel Colt 70 series but then the dept said no more SA guns. I liked big shiny guns so when going in the door anyone in there had no problems seeing the gun. The 645 actually shot better than the Colt. I put in a Wolff spring kit and it has a really nice trigger. With what the 645 weighs even the heaviest loads are easy shooting.
My 645 has an allen head screw. Just a very small dab of locktite fixed it.
I had never seen Miami Vice and had no idea what anyone on the show carried.

 

[srsmyth]

Ha ! donk52's post made me go look at mine, it is stamped with the letter M.

 

[ispcapt]

If you look at the bottom of the frame around the mag well, a fitters stamp would be there. If it's an "0" that's one of mine.

Mine is stamped "C".

 

[2K7]

S&W 645 "Heavy"?

Never quite understood the comments about the S&W 645 being "heavy" when compared to the Colt Government Model.

S&W 645 - 36.8 oz
Colt Government model - 36.0 oz

For the "extra" .8 oz, the double action alone was worth it in my book. Toss in the stainless steel (long before Colts stainless Government models) and it was a no brainer!

As far as the Miami Vice show, if you remember, Crockett's partner Tubbs carried a J-Frame .38 cause he knew when that ole, loudmouth 645 was done, no one was left standing!

 

[Ozark Marine]

I can't remember the exact year, but after I moved from fitting the Mod 52's I moved to assembling the 39's 59's and 41's. I was chosen to assemble the first of the production 645's. Loved that guns size, basically like a big 39. I always wondered why they used a phillips screw for the ambi-safety, ugliest part of the gun. If you look at the bottom of the frame around the mag well, a fitters stamp would be there. If it's an "0" that's one of mine.

Took the grip panels off.
No letter stamped on mine.
Serial # TAU257X
Would it be under the back strap?

 

[2K7]

I looked...

Ha ! donk52's post made me go look at mine, it is stamped with the letter M.

...from your hands to mine! I have an "O" stamped 645!

As far as the screw head safety goes, I just couldn't stand the look of it and replaced my safety assembly with one from the last design 3rd gen guns. I saved the original in the box for authenticity.